Business Aviation

Its time to expand services:

SriLankan eyes new destinations in India

With its 11 existing destinations in India, SriLankan airlines is now looking at getting into 15 tier two cities in the country to make their presence felt more strongly here.

Already being an established name, in terms serving the major southern Indian destinations, the airline feels that this is the time for the airline to grow in India.
 

Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Senaka Fernando, Regional Manager (Indian Sub-continent and Maldives), said they already have the rights to fly into cities like Pune and Aurangabad covering the western region, along with cities like Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Gaya, Khajuraho as well as northern cities like Lucknow, Varanasi and Amritsar. Apart from this, there are four more to be added later, with Kolkatta highest in the order.

He also added that the airline wants to progress slowly, adding only one point a year, thanks to its small fleet size. By the year 2013 he said their fleet would increase to 30 aircraft, out of which 14 would enable them to operate into these cities.

He added that the long distance, the flight time ranging between five to six hours per flight to these cities, and the limited fleet is currently restricting them from taking a step forward. New Delhi

Mak Ying Kwan of TTG Asia wins trip to Colombo on Mihin Lanka
 

Senior Reporter of TTG Asia Media, Ms Mak Ying Kwan won a return air ticket on Mihin Lanka to Colombo in a lucky draw at their annual staff luncheon held at the Raffles Hotel recently.

An elated Ms Kwan is eagerly looking forward to her forthcoming visit to “delightful Sri Lanka.”

TTG Asia is the leading travel publication covering the Asia Pacific region which is widely circulated and features Sri Lanka extensively on a regular basis.

Mihin Lanka operates thrice weekly to Singapore on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays offering both economy and business class travel with an enhanced baggage allowance of 40 kg. on the return sector Singapore/Colombo.

IATA rejects slot auctions for New York

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today condemned the Bush Administration’s plans to lease or auction airport take-off and landing slots at New York City’s airports as an ineffective way to alleviate unacceptable congestion in the region.

“The White House and the Department of Transportation are out of step with the global aviation community. A take-off slot at JFK requires terminal space, a parking stand and a landing slot somewhere else.

This is a complex situation and an eBay approach - slot auctioning - will not solve the problem,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The Government’s auctioning of landing slots could result in fewer flight choices, inefficient connections and higher prices - penalising airlines and passengers alike.

IATA, along with the majority of other industry groups, support the use of IATA’s Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines (WSG) to manage congestion at New York’s international airports. “Experience tells us that auctioning will not achieve the desired result. And it potentially breaches international obligations and agreements.

But there is no need to reinvent the wheel. International coordination is needed. The IATA Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines are a ready-made solution to bring order to the chaos at New York’s airports.

They are already used in over 140 of the world’s busiest airports, including Chicago O’Hare,” said Bisignani. “Let’s also remember that this is a capacity problem that we believe can be fully remedied with better operations and improved infrastructure.

The Department of Transportation needs to focus its resources on quickly implementing industry recommendations on short and long-term solutions. We need action not auctions,” Bisignani said.

Emirates launch Airline to launch daily flights to Cape Town

Trade and tourism ties between longstanding partners UAE and South Africa are expected to strengthen with the announcement that Dubai-based Emirates Airline, one of the world’s fastest-growing international carriers, will launch daily flights to Cape Town, effective 30th March 2008.

The move represents an expansion of Emirates’ footprint in South Africa, closely following the airline’s recent introduction of third daily services to Johannesburg.

Cape Town, a perennial favourite for tourists, will be Emirates’ second gateway in South Africa, and its 15th in the African continent. On the route, Emirates will operate its Airbus A330-200 in a three class configuration of 12 First, 42 Business and 183 Economy Class seats.

From 1st October the aircraft type will be revised to the larger capacity Boeing 777-200 offering 12 First, 42 Business and 236 Economy Class seats.

Both aircraft are equipped with industry-leading comforts such as ergonomic seats, personal video screens, in-seat phones, and facilities to send and receive email and sms from each seat.

In total, the award-winning airline will introduce approximately 2000 seats and over 100 tonnes of cargo capacity per week per direction to Cape Town, a development that will surely be welcomed by business and leisure travellers on either sides of the equator.

Cape Town’s outstandingly beautiful scenery, proximity to spectacular wildlife, diverse entertainment facilities and robust tourism infrastructure make it one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations.

Thriving with trendy cafes, restaurants, top-of-the-line shopping and set against the backdrop of the world-famous Table Mountain, Cape Town is a must-experience holiday gateway.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “Emirates is grateful to the government and regulatory authorities in South Africa for granting it the permission to commence air services to Cape Town.”

Boeing signs one-billion-dollar deal with India’s HAL

Boeing Co. and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. signed on Thursday a deal aimed at bringing more than one billion dollars of new aerospace manufacturing work to India, a joint statement said.

The preliminary agreement was signed in New Delhi by Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and Ashok Baweja, chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), the statement said.

The pact also includes sharing key Boeing business and manufacturing tools with Bangalore-based HAL, India’s leading aerospace company which designs and manufactures advanced fighters. “I am extremely pleased that Boeing and HAL have agreed to work together for the mutual benefit of their companies and countries,” said Albaugh.

“The agreement represents an important step in our efforts to build solid long-term partnerships in India to make Boeing products more globally competitive,” he added.

The move is the latest in the so-called “offshoring” of manufacturing to India. Right now China is the favourite choice for outsourcing manufacturing while India is preferred for information technology, finance and customer services. AFP